Switchback Ale | Switchback Brewing Company

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Using only traditional ingredients, Switchback Ale is a reddish-amber ale which is particularly well-balanced, allowing for complexity of flavor coupled with an unusually smooth and refreshing character. Five different malts, select hop varieties, and our own specially cultivated yeast create an ale which leads with hop flavors and a subtle impression of fruit (our yeast's contribution), followed by a palate pleasing malty finish. Our own special process uses the yeast to naturally carbonate the beer, and we leave it unfiltered. The result is a satisfying brew full of flavor with a remarkably clean and smooth finish.

Naturally carbonated!! Unfiltered!! Oh my!! I do testify that it is an iconoclastic brew! Very hazy blood orange color with a fine sturdy head, and a suspension of yeasty bits. Smell is rich malt with yeasty bread. Taste is a smooth malty red ale. Mouthfeel is great, a smooth fluid ale with some carbonation bite. Overall, this is a fine ale that is standing a little aside in its own space. This beer performs consistently at a high level, so you should try it if you can find it, and you can decide if it belongs in your starting line.

Poured into a becher pint glass, the appearance was a semi-rugged dark amber color with a finger's worth of white foamy head that slid off at a moderate pace. Messy sliding lace, somewhat in rings.
The aroma had a thick smooth malty rich caramel/toffee blend to some butterscotch and bready/biscuit notes. Light honey then touched by a light earthy to grassy hoppiness.
The flavor moderately blended the maltiness to the hops. And honestly for every time I've ever had this beer, it has always been malty but with a superior cleanliness about it. Aftertaste was superb with the malts.
The mouthfeel was almost medium bodied with a good sessionability about it. Carbonation felt good. ABV felt appropriate. Malty smoothness does cling to my tongue stealthily but not overbearing nor cloying.
Overall, it's always treat to have in the great state of Vermont and always wonderful to have with some spicy foods too. Probably why Two Loco Guys keeps this on tap in Barre at all times for their stellar burritos.

Unusual bottle conditioned ale with a reddish brown hue. Unfiltered with a fruity, flowery aroma. Taste is unique for this style: light malt and fruit with a mild hop finish. Overall very drinkable and pleasant. As is usual for US craft beers, is is somewhat over hopped, IMO, with an IBU of 28.

Poured with the yeast mixed in as recommended on the bottle. Dark honey, golden brown in color, very hazy with lots of flecks of yeast (as expected given the mixing). Not much of a head, but leaves some light lacing on the sides. The aromas are rather mild, some yeastiness, biscuits and crackers with a touch of sharpness. The taste is also pretty mild, but not in a bad way. It follows the nose with a light touch of caramel and faint earthiness. Light, but adequate carbonation, medium-bodied. Nothing jumps out about this beer, but everything fits together and it is very easy and satisfying to drink.